Actor Eddie Deezen visits THE POLAR EXPESS Train Ride

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We are excited to announce that actor Eddie Deezen will be visiting WMSR for the opening weekend of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.  Eddie is returning home on November 22nd and November 23rd to sign autographs and meet with guests an hour before each train ride.

“All Aboard” THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride this Christmas Season.  Inspired by the run-away hit film, this holiday favorite comes to life and you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.   Set to the music of the motion picture soundtrack, families will love their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train.  Passengers will enjoy singing, dancing, and reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.  Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will present the first gift of Christmas.  On the return trip, everyone will receive a silver sleigh bell, heard by all of those who BELIEVE.  The joy of caroling and holiday entertainment will surely become an annual tradition for the whole family.  We encourage you to wear your favorite pajamas and join in on the magic.

You can purchase tickets online and reserve your seat before they are all gone.

Baltimore Street gets a new crossing

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We are thankful to have received a grant to replace the crossing signals at Baltimore Street near our Cumberland Station.  For the first time, gates will warn and stop motorists from crossing the track as we depart and return home on the excursion.  The crossing is now compliant with FRA regulations and tied into the traffic light on Mechanic Street similar to the CSX crossing on the other side of Baltimore Street.

Many agencies help to make this a reality, Maryland State Highway Administration, Rhinehart Railroad Construction, and Diamondback Signal.  Both of our old signals were removed from service where one will be restored and the second one put up for auction.

Old railroad crossing sign.

The Polar Express arrives in Cumberland, Maryland

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Cumberland, MD – Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will begin service to the North Pole on board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride starting Saturday, November 23rd, 2019. The magical story comes to life when the train departs Western Maryland Railway Station for a 65-minute round-trip journey to the North Pole.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once on board, hot chocolate and treats are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to the Western Maryland Railway Station.

The journey begins Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 and runs through December 23rd, 2019 on select dates. Exact dates, fares and excursion times are available by calling 301-759-4400 or by visiting www.wmrs.com. Ticket prices for children (ages 2-11) range from $50.00 to $80.00 and for adults from $60.00 – $85.00 depending on date and class of service. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride!

About THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides are licensed by Rail Events Inc. on behalf of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Inc. Since 2007, Rail Events Inc. has held exclusive license to operate THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. 

About THE POLAR EXPRESS Book

THE POLAR EXPRESS film is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas picture book, which tells the story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. First published by the Houghton Mifflin Company in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant family favorite and has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. In 1986 it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, the Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, and Hanna-Barbera.

The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About Rail Events Inc.

Rail Events Inc. is the industry leader in rail-related special events management. In 2018, the company licensed events that hosted over one million guests at 50 partner railroads in the US, Canada, and the UK. Rail Events Inc. and Rail Events Productions are wholly owned subsidiaries of American Heritage Railways, which is the premier operator of heritage railroads in the United States.

THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s19)

Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Coffee & Snack Bar Now Open

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We are excited to announce that our new snack bar area is now open on the platform level of the train station.  Inside you will find coffee, soft drinks, snacks, and candy.  It is the perfect stop while waiting for the train to arrive on the platform or stock up for the trip.

New Website Has Arrived

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We know that you have been frustrated for a while and we have been hard at work over the last few months to bring you an easy to use website based around “An Experience For Everyone”.  We cleaned up the numerous links and photos with no explanation.  The new website is designed to look great on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone.  We want you to find the information you are looking for quickly and within several clicks, be able to purchase a ticket or buy something cool from our gift shop.  In the coming weeks we hope to launch a new ticketing platform that will also speed up and simplify the purchase options.  Thank you for dealing with the stress over the winter and spring months as we partnered with Allegany Media to create this new site.

We have also changed over many of our email addresses, you may now see things arriving in your inbox from easy to understand names like info@ and reservations@.  We know that we still have work to do, if you have suggestions on information that you would like to see or any hiccups, hit the contact us link and send us the information by the form.

2019 Annual Rules Update Class

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Our staff and railroad crews are in class today at Allegany College of Maryland for an annual rules update.  The Federal Railroad Administration requires this training on safety and operations.  We are excited to join together with our friends at Diversified Rail Services as we return to steam in 2019!  WMSR is committed to operating a safe and friendly attraction that highlights the incredible beauty of Mountain Maryland.